Philadelphia - Hometown Holla!

Recently, I was excited to learn that my hometown of Philadelphia was named the first UNESCO World Heritage City in the United States. I've long known about the abundance of history and culture the city has to offer, but I got little pangs of pride when I read the article from Travel and Leisure. If you need to decide on a domestic destination for an upcoming vacation, start with Philadelphia. Food, culture, history, art, sports, and recreation, it really does have it all!

“As a World Heritage City, Philadelphia is being officially recognized on the global stage for its wealth of contributions to the world as the epicenter of American democracy and for its enduring commitment to preserving the unique historical and cultural assets in our diverse community.” - Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

Read the whole article here: Philadelphia - UNESCO World Heritage City 

(image courtesy of Getty Images, featured on TandL website)

Travel Tuesday - Travel Wisdom From Michael Palin

Today's entry comes from my favorite traveler, Michael Palin. Yes, he was funny in Monty Python, but his travel writing and television shows are what cemented my crush. Check out his website to buy his books: http://www.themichaelpalin.com/

Sydney - Night and Day

As we in America start to bundle up for Winter, those in Australia start to peel back the layers to enjoy Summer. As I pull out the sweaters (all I really need in Arizona), I was thinking of my time in Australia. My visit included time spent in Sydney and many, many trips to or past the iconic Opera House. If you find yourself there, take the tour. It is totally worth it! It is trite and played out as a photo opp, but I still spent hours shooting it from every angle and at several times of day.

Throwback Thursday - Cairo, Egypt

I'm feeling a bit nostaligc for Egypt today. I just watched a documentary of some new archaeological finds and it made me wistful to be back on the desert sands, surrounded by the spiced air and foreign noises. So for Throwback Thursday, here are a couple photos from my trip.
The city view from the banks of the Nile river in the morning.

  

After seeing Michael Palin visit the Windsor, I knew it was the only place I wanted to stay in the city. It did not disappoint. Here is the key to my room. I will let you imagine the rest. Think British Empire in the 1800s; I felt like I fell out of a period film and it was fantastic!

Destination Dash - Sedona, Arizona

This issue of Destination Dash features a place I have been countless times yet it still surprises me - Sedona, Arizona. Yes, it has its share of crystal spinners and ley line readers but it also has upscale spas, incredible hiking, and some palate-pleasing dining opportunities.

Name: Sedona, Arizona
Population: 10, 111 (2013)
Flight Time: from LAX, 2 hrs 55 minutes, with connections
Get Started: Stop by the vistor's center on 331 Forest Road to pick up some information.

5 things to do in Sedona:

1. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Even if you aren't Catholic or religiously inclined, this majestic structure was designed to blend in with the surrounding rocks by Marguerite Brunswig Staude and sites 200 feet above the valley floor. Recommended time - 1 hour.

2.  Spend the afternoon at Tlaquepaque. This is touted as an arts and crafts village but feels more like a time warp to a Spanish colonial square. Cobbled paths, shade aplenty and a wide variety of shops will charm even the most shopping-averse among you (trust me, I hate to shop but don't mind spending hours here). WARNING - DO NOT GO OVER THANKSGIVING!! The crowds are insane. Recommended time - 2 hours.

3. Hike Oak Creek Canyon - No matter how many times I hike along Oak Creek, it never gets old. If you are game, consider an overnight trip in August, when the temperatures are close to perfect and the creek floods in certain spots, making for an adventurous amble over rocks and fallen trees. Recommended time - 5 hours or more.

4. Eat at Dahl & DiLuca. You will be hard pressed to find better food in the state of Arizona (at least that's what my out-of-town visitors have told me. This is one of my favorite places to eat. The food and the ambiance create a romantic, intimate dining experience and it is the perfect way to end a weekend in Sedona. Recommended time - 2 hours. 

5. Take a Pink Jeep Tour. If you are stymied as to how to see maximum Sedona in minimal time, consider Pink Jeep Tours. These off-road adventures cover everything from history to scenic beauty within several tour options. Recommended time - 1 1/2 to 3 hours.

This list represents what I have done or what my friends have done (#5). Your list may differ and this is intended to kick-start your planning. Sedona has something to do all year round, so start planning.
Peace, love, and travel!

A shot of Bell Rock I took for the cover of an equestrian supply catalog and yes, it really does look like this!

Destination Dash - Melbourne, Australia

Destination Dash post features my latest city crush, Melbourne. I was lucky enough to start my Antipodean adventure in this cosmopolitan yet charming city. I spent 4 packed days exploring all parts of the city and fell in love with it. Victorian and Edwardian architecture coexist beautifully with steel and glass structures to create a modernity tempered with antique elegance. The vibe is upscale but not pretentious.

Name: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Population: 4.5 million (2014)
Flight Time: from LAX, US 17 hours non-stop; from London 20+ hours, 1 stop
Get Started:  If you will be coming from the airport while on a layover, take the SkyBus into the city. It's not that expensive and gets you downtown in about 20-25 minutes.

My write-up will not give you a moment-by-moment day, but gives you the highlights I'd recommend seeing while in the city. The list covers indoors and outdoors and provides stimuli for kids and adults, but only you know your physical limitations, tolerance to things, and schedule.

The total time for my recommendations comes in at 11 hours, but remember that is because this is what I like to do. You may want to devote more time to sport venues or get out of town for a fast trip to the Dandenong Ranges (about an hour drive outside the city). If you want to build in time for meals, I recommend choosing two or three things from this list. This is just a guide, so read on an enjoy!


Site recommendations:

1. Queen Victoria Market - on the corner of Victoria and Elizabeth Streets. Crowded with people and an impressive array of produce, groceries, dry goods, souvenirs the market is full of locals and tourists. If you can stand the crush of people, stand quietly and try to count the number of different languages being spoken. My best was 14! Recommended time - 2 hours or more.
2. Melbourne Zoo - Elliott Ave, Parkville. Gorgeously laid out and surprisingly diverse, the zoo is a great way to spend 1 hour or 4 hours. It is located in a quiet part of town and just off the 25 tram stop for Melbourne Zoo/Royal Park. Many travelers think of the Australia Zoo in Brisbane and the go-to zoological experience but Melbourne is equally interesting and entertaining. It makes a great destination on its own or as a companion experience to visiting the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Recommended time - 3 hours.
3. Old Melbourne Gaol - 377 Russell Street. Whether you are a history buff, lover of the macabre, or have a few hours to kill and don't know what to do, make a beeline for the Old Melbourne Gaol. It provides a facsinating glimpse into prison life of the mid-to-late 19th century. Grab a docent and walk the bluestone corridor to learn about such notorious criminals as Frederick Bailey Deeming, Elizabeth Scott, Martha Needle, and folk hero Ned Kelly. The interior harkens the Green Mile or Shawshank, but has a pervasiveness darkness probably made all the more so during the night tours they offer. A thought-provoking look at prison life, the territorial judicial system and impressive collection of death masks. Recommended time - 1 1/2 hours.
4. Royal Botanic Gardens - Birdwood Ave, South Yarra. There is nothing to dislike here. It offers soothing vistas, lush vegetation, and beauty around every turn. Go early morning for a misty stroll through the gardens. It is empty of crowds and full of cockatoos, parrots, magpies, and pukekos. We got there about 45 minutes past sunrise and it was otherworldly. I felt like I'd fallen into a storybook illustration. Recommended time - 2 hours, 3 if you take a picnic.
5. Melbourne Museum - 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. Home to a vast selection of geological, cultural, and anthropological history, this museum is one of the best natural history museums I've visited in my life. It is easy to meander from one hall to another and offers a wide variety of subject matters, enough to keep visitors engaged whether they are 3 or 103. My visit was made even more special due to the WWI Centenary Exhibition, which offers an in-depth and emotional look at WWI and the contributions made by ANZAC forces. Recommended time - 3 hours or more.

 Peace, love, and travel!

*As a reminder, these photos are solely mine and not to be used without prior written permission. Thanks!

Ticking off my 6th continent. Melbourne, by the port.

Downtown split by the Yarra River

Interior of the main cell block.

Interior of a cell.

One of many lovely vistas in the garden.

Laugh Kookaburra, laugh.

Business Travel - How to Get More With Less

 














I am lucky to travel for business which helps facilitate my pleasure travel, so when I come across something that helps both go a bit more smoothly, I am all about sharing.  

Today's gem comes from the Road Warriorette, who writes a blog full of interesting and useful business (mostly) travel advice. Check out her blog here and read on.

Peace, love, and travel!
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Dealing with the business travel “squeeze”
June 25, 2015

Squeeze.  It’s a common theme in business travel.  Ever since the economy tanked in 2008 I’ve really seen an uptick in businesses trying to squeeze as much as they can out of everything they can possibly think of. Air carriers are moving seats as close as they possibly can get together to add more rows to planes. Planes constantly need to be worked on which I can only guess is because the airlines are pushing them to their limits (for example, Duct tape story 1 & Duct tape story 2) .  Loyalty programs are becoming less generous so that more points can get squeezed out of your account. Despite record profits and lower oil costs airfares are going up in price which is squeezing money out of your pockets. Hotels are guilty of the squeeze too by doing things like charging ridiculous rates for Wi-Fi (just look at what Marriott got caught doing) and making reward stays more expensive. Even companies that business travelers work for are squeezing more by micromanaging expenses. To help with all this, here my tips for dealing with the squeeze.

Change airlines. I haven’t made the switch yet to Delta, but I’m really considering it. After a pretty bad streak of delays due to maintenance (not to mention some really awful customer service) with American and Southwest I went looking for answers. I researched the Air Travel Consumer Report released by the DOT and I noticed that overall Delta is consistently performing better than American and Southwest in on time performance, as well as delays caused by the carrier (which includes maintenance delays). These results are giving me incentive to making a change. My loyalty only goes so far.
Don’t hoard miles. Over the years of traveling I built up a decent amount of airline miles through different airlines. I used to.......<<read the full article here>>